Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo to step back from hockey amidst health concerns

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and the Vegas Golden Knights provided an update on the future status of Pietrangelo’s playing career on Monday night.

There had been reports that Pietrangelo was dealing with injury problems that he played through for most of the season, but was reaching the point where he wouldn’t be able to play. Expectations seemed to be for the 35-year-old to at least miss the 2025-26 season, but based on the statement released by the player and team, it may be possible that he doesn’t return.

Pietrangelo has two years left on his current seven-year contract with an $8.8 million cap hit.

“The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” Pietrangelo said in a statement released by the Golden Knights. “After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life. This decision has been difficult to come to terms with after the last 17 years of competition and the camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family.”

Pietrangelo didn’t miss too much hockey with the Golden Knights in 2024-25, as he had four goals and 29 assists for 33 points in 71 games in the regular season, and two goals and four assists for six points in 11 playoff games.

Pietrangelo did miss out on the 4 Nations Face-Off after being named to Team Canada’s roster, stating that he needed time off to recover from injuries, likely the same ones he’s dealing with now.

“Alex has our organization’s full support in prioritizing his long-term health and quality of life,” said Golden Knights’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon. “Alex is dealing with hips that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success. Throughout the season, the steps that Alex needed to take to be able to play and practice began to grow and take a significant toll on his body. Our hope in February during the NHL’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off was to give Alex treatment and rest to help provide relief, but instead, what we found were diminished positive results and a process that is no longer sustainable moving forward. Alex has given everything to the game and to the Golden Knights and has played through significant challenges in the pursuit of trying to win another Stanley Cup in Vegas. He is one of the most respected players in the league, not only for his elite talent but for his character, leadership, competitiveness, and professionalism. Today’s decision is a difficult one for both Alex and the Golden Knights, but it is being made for the right reasons – so that Alex can be the family man we all know him to be.”

Should this be the end of Pietrangelo’s career, he finishes with 1,087 games played across 17 seasons in the NHL, 12 with the St. Louis Blues and five with the Golden Knights. Originally the fourth overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft, he has 148 goals and 489 assists for 637 points in his career, and is tied for 42nd all-time in points by a defenseman.

Pietrangelo also potentially finishes with 15 goals and 65 assists for 80 points in 149 playoff games. He has two Stanley Cups in his career, one with the Blues in 2019 and one with the Golden Knights in 2023.